Manchester United's Wayne Rooney, who has scored only three goals (two from the penalty spot) this season was on the receiving end of a swipe from Manchester City's outspoken Italian striker Mario Balotelli, who has struck eight times in 11 appearances.

“He [Rooney] is a very good player, but not the best in Manchester,” said Balotelli, who also claimed he's popular among Man United fans:

“Do United fans insult me? No, they stop me in the street and say ‘Mario, come to us!’ But I dream of beating them because I know how much the City fans care. "

Balotelli, currently out with a knee injury, said City’s attack of himself, Carlos Tevez and Edin Dzeko is superior to the forwards at United: “Our attack of me, Tevez and Dzeko is the best in the world, better even than Barcelona and Real Madrid. We are the strongest and we can win things now – we just lack conviction.”